TYB
Canadian military issues ‘goose alert’
https://www.rt.com/news/616459-canada-defense-campus-geese-alert/
Soldiers and staff have been told what to do if they encounter the infamously aggressive birds, which have overrun the defense HQ in Ottawa
The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has released a warning to its staff at its Carling Avenue headquarters in Ottawa amid an ongoing takeover of the area by Canada geese. The birds are known for their aggressive behavior toward any perceived threat during nesting season, which is in full swing at the moment.
In an article on Monday, the Ottawa Citizen cited an e-mail alert sent out by DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown, advising both military and civilian staff against attempting to feed or touch the geese, as it could be taken as a provocation by the winged intruders. According to the newspaper, personnel at the Carling Avenue headquarters have been told to “remain calm and not panic” should they encounter a bird displaying aggressive behavior.
“Try to move away slowly and quietly without turning your back to the goose. Maintain eye contact while you back away,” the instructions reportedly say.
“If the goose charges or hisses, raise your arms to appear larger and back away slowly,” the directive further advises.
Brown acknowledged that DND has no idea how many Canada geese are occupying its property situated in the midst of Ottawa’s Greenbelt. Continue…
More than $150,000 in fentanyl seized following Calgary drug investigation
https://www.westernstandard.news/news/more-than-150000-in-fentanyl-seized-following-calgary-drug-investigation/64359
A three-month investigation by Calgary police has led to the seizure of more than $150,000 worth of fentanyl and five firearms, officials announced Monday.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) District 4 General Investigations Unit launched the investigation in January 2025 after receiving a tip from the York Regional Police Service about a Calgary-based drug trafficker.
Over the following months, officers identified a suspect and observed activity consistent with drug trafficking.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with assistance from the Tactical Unit, investigators conducted a traffic stop in Crescent Heights, where one man was arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle uncovered 22 grams of fentanyl, 18 grams of crack cocaine, and two cell phones.
Subsequent searches of two residences led to more significant discoveries. At an apartment in the 100 block of Second Ave. S.W. in Calgary, officers seized a taser.
A second search in Cochrane, in the 100 block of First Ave. E., uncovered 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 11 grams of unknown pills, 161 grams of unknown white powder, and a cache of firearms and ammunition.
Items seized included a loaded handgun with a 3D-printed receiver reported lost in Ontario, a T81SA 7.62mm semi-automatic rifle, two SKS rifles, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, approximately 1,170 rounds of ammunition, and two prohibited firearm magazines. Continue…
Greens admit candidate withdrawals hurt debate participation
https://www.westernstandard.news/news/greens-admit-candidate-withdrawals-hurt-debate-participation/64361
The Green Party has admitted that several of its candidates dropped out of the election race to avoid splitting the progressive vote, a move that ultimately cost the party its spot in the televised federal debates.
In a Federal Court application challenging their disqualification, Green Party lawyers acknowledged that “a small number of candidates, no more than 15, decided to withdraw their candidacy to avoid splitting the progressive vote.”
Blacklock's Reporter says the withdrawals, they said, severely reduced the number of Green candidates and harmed the party’s ability to meet debate participation rules.
The Leaders’ Debates Commission barred the Greens from the televised debates scheduled for April 16 and 17 after the party failed to meet the requirement of fielding a minimum of 308 candidates.
Although the Greens initially claimed 340 nominations, only 232 candidates were officially registered by the April 7 deadline at Elections Canada.
Party lawyers, from Power Law Ltd. of Ottawa, argued that the Commission’s decision was “unreasonable,” especially the suggestion that the Greens had deliberately and dishonestly withdrawn candidates.
Internal communications cited by media reports suggested the party pulled candidates strategically in ridings where they believed Conservatives had a better chance of winning. Continue…
==The Green Party has admitted that several of its candidates dropped out of the election race to avoid splitting the progressive vote, a move that ultimately cost the party its spot in the televised federal debates.
In a Federal Court application challenging their disqualification, Green Party lawyers acknowledged that “a small number of candidates, no more than 15, decided to withdraw their candidacy to avoid splitting the progressive vote.”
Blacklock's Reporter says the withdrawals, they said, severely reduced the number of Green candidates and harmed the party’s ability to meet debate participation rules.
The Leaders’ Debates Commission barred the Greens from the televised debates scheduled for April 16 and 17 after the party failed to meet the requirement of fielding a minimum of 308 candidates.
Although the Greens initially claimed 340 nominations, only 232 candidates were officially registered by the April 7 deadline at Elections Canada.
Party lawyers, from Power Law Ltd. of Ottawa, argued that the Commission’s decision was “unreasonable,” especially the suggestion that the Greens had deliberately and dishonestly withdrawn candidates.
Internal communications cited by media reports suggested the party pulled candidates strategically in ridings where they believed Conservatives had a better chance of winning.==
Henk Van Essen, a 61-year-old egg farmer near Lethbridge, says he faces a court-ordered cull of 1,000 laying hens after his arrest on Wednesday for allegedly selling eggs outside the quota system regulated by the Egg Farmers of Alberta (EFA).
In an interview with the Western Standard on Monday, Van Essen said EFA officials, accompanied by RCMP, are expected to raid his farm to assess and cull some of his flock.
He confirmed five RCMP vehicles were involved in his arrest last week for civil contempt of court. Released with conditions, Van Essen has posted warning signs on his driveway to deter trespassers.
“I have no charges at the moment,” Van Essen said by phone, noting his farm meets Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards.
“But the judge ordered the Egg Farmers (of Alberta) to come today to my property, to count the chickens, and dispose of any over 300. They won’t tell me what time they’re coming.”
Van Essen could be sent back to jail if he obstructs. Also, he said the judge warned him not to get media involved. Continue…
Williston Basin conference turns spotlight on Saskatchewan oil boom
https://www.westernstandard.news/saskatchewan/williston-basin-conference-turns-spotlight-on-saskatchewan-oil-boom/64369
Saskatchewan’s oil ambitions are front and centre as the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference returns to Regina from April 28 to April 30.
Industry leaders, geologists, and politicians packed the sold-out show, eager to swap ideas on getting more crude oil from the province and pump up the economy.
Premier Scott Moe is scheduled for a fireside chat on energy development, while Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young joins a panel of executives.
Young said higher output means stronger paycheques and more provincial revenue.
“Growing our oil sector will create jobs, bring in greater spending, and open doors across Saskatchewan,” Young told delegates, adding the province aims to hit 600,000 barrels a day by 2030.
Now in its fourth decade, the conference alternates between Regina and Bismarck, North Dakota. Continue…
Hospitals intermittently close in Moe’s riding, Sask government stays silent
https://www.westernstandard.news/saskatchewan/hospitals-intermittently-close-in-moes-riding-sask-government-stays-silent/64372
Hospitals in Premier Scott Moe’s Rosthern–Shellbrook riding keep shutting their doors, and critics say the Saskatchewan Party has no plan to keep vital care close to home.
Freedom-of-information records obtained by the Opposition New Democrats show the Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook, Rosthern Hospital, and Shellbrook Hospital lost a combined 43 days of service between August 2019 and May 2024.
Diagnostic imaging was shut for 22 days, emergency rooms were dark for 13, and other medical services were suspended for eight.
“Families should be able to count on health care where and when they need it,” NDP health critic Vicki Mowat said Monday.
“Instead, the Sask Party is cutting services even in the premier’s backyard.” Continue…
City of Calgary scores $276 million budget surplus; no tax relief for Calgarians
https://www.westernstandard.news/calgary/city-of-calgary-scores-276-million-budget-surplus-no-tax-relief-for-calgarians/64370
The City of Calgary audit committee was told in its most recent meeting the city posted a $276 million budget surplus in 2024, despite unexpected financial challenges last year, exacerbated by the Bearspaw South feeder main break. The surplus was $40 million higher than 2023.
A report to the committee said the surplus came mostly from "higher franchise fees (also called local access fees) revenue due to higher energy prices, increased investment income and expenditure savings across several tax-supported services."
The local access fee works in lieu of a property tax to run power equipment throughout the city.
However, the report added revenues from local access fees is dropping, with the city getting close to $182 million from the fees last year, compared to $308 million in 2023.
Part of the decline can be attributed to no longer being tied to the province's regulated rate option (the rate of last resort) and moving to a consumption-based model this year, charging customers based on how much power they use.
The report warns a further decrease in revenue from that fee is in the offing this year, after the change in how it is calculated in response to affordability concerns amid rising utility costs. Continue…
UPDATE: Police say suspect in horrific Vancouver Filipino festival attack had 'contact' with police one day earlier
https://www.westernstandard.news/news/nine-dead-multiple-injured-after-driver-plows-into-crowd-at-vancouver-festival-suspect-known-to-police/64338
The man who allegedly drove his vehicle through a crowded Filipino festival in Vancouver on Saturday night has been identified and charged.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo faces eight counts of murder, though more charges are expected to be filed as the investigation continues.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Steve Addison confirmed that Lo had "contact" with police on April 25, one day before the attack. He noted, however, that the interaction "was not criminal in nature," and "did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required."
According to the Vancouver Sun, Lo was said to be suffering from paranoia and delusions.
Addison also provided more information about the victims. He said nine of the dead were women, and two were men, and all but one lived in Metro Vancouver. Of the dozens still in hospital, seven are in critical condition and three are in serious condition.
The original story follows: Continue…
Polls Close in Atlantic Canada as Rest of Country Continues Voting
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/liberals-and-conservatives-in-tight-race-as-canadians-head-to-polls-5848745?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_cnt=b&ea_med=lead-story-0
Canadians are heading to the polls today to cast their vote for the party that will form the country’s 45th government.
Polls have now closed in Atlantic Canada, where ballot counting is underway. Voting continues across the rest of the country, with the final polls set to close on the West Coast at 7 p.m. PST.
At dissolution, the Liberals held 151 seats, the Conservatives 120, the Bloc Québécois 33, the NDP 24, and the Greens two. There were also three Independent MPs and five vacant seats.
The House of Commons had 338 seats following the 2021 election, but with the new boundaries introduced in 2022, that number has increased to 343.
The vote comes after a month-long campaign that has developed into a tight race between Mark Carney’s Liberals and the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre.
Support for the two leading candidates has fluctuated within a range of five points, with the lead changing twice since March, according to Abacus Data. Continue…
Fire Disrupts Voting in Windsor, Leaders Cast Ballots: What’s Happening Today as Canada Votes
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/whats-happening-throughout-the-day-as-canadians-vote-5848951?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_cnt=b&ea_med=medium-1
Canadians are currently voting in the 45th general election after a month-long campaign and will soon find out which party will form government.
Here’s a look at the key events unfolding throughout the day as the clock ticks down to the release of the first results. Continue…
ELECTION NIGHT at Pierre Poilievre HQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl4eQpNUeiY